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PCB fine runaway wicketkeeper

Haider returned to Pakistan in April after receiving government assurances about the safety of his family [AFP]

Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has received a $5,800 fine from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after violating the team's code of conduct last year by leaving the team without informing management.

Haider abandoned the Pakistan cricket team in Dubai last November, saying he had received death threats from unknown people to fix a one-day match in the series against South Africa.

The 25-year-old wicketkeeper appeared before a PCB disciplinary committee in Lahore on Friday and was fined following a two-hour hearing and was also put on a year's probation.

Hearing

"Haider accepted and apologised for his mistake in leaving the team and after his apology the committee fined him 500,000 rupees ($5,800) and he will remain under observation for one year," said Sultan Rana, the committee head.

On Thursday, the PCB fined former captain Shahid Afridi $53,000 over a breach of contract by announcing his retirement from international cricket and levelling allegations against the PCB.

Like Afridi, Haider acknowledged that he had erred.

"I accept I made a mistake," Haider said after the verdict.

"But I did what I thought to be correct at that time. With the passage of time I realised my mistake and will not do the same thing again."

Haider hopes to resume his career in the team

"It is up to the PCB and the selection committee to select me, but I will do my best to regain my place in the team," said Haider, who made his Test debut on last year's tour of England, which was marred by a spot-fixing scandal.

The PCB said in a statement that Haider had sought a light punishment.

"Haider had requested that minimum punishment be awarded to him on compassionate grounds keeping in view the ailment of his father (who is suffering from cancer)," the PCB said in a statement.

"Haider also admitted he has no proof of any wrongdoing against any player or official of the PCB and withdrew all the allegations (of fixing)," the statement added.

Haider had threatened to name a number of players involved in match-fixing on his page on the social networking website Facebook.